Pneumatic bellows pump



Aug. l0, 1954 Filed Jan. 8, 1952 V. H. HASSELQUIST PNEUMATIC BELLOWSPUMP 2 Sheets-Shes?I l /3 S-az Aug- 10, 1954 v. H. HAssELQuls-r2,686,006

PNEUMATIC BELLows PUMP Filed Jan. 8, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ffy- Patentedug. 110, 195,4

PNEUMATIC BELLOWS PUMP Victor H. Hasselquist, Akron, Ohio, assignor toThe B. F. Goodrich Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication January 8, 1952, Serial No. 265,471

The invention relates to collapsible pumps for inflating hollowinflatable articles such as pneumatic mattresses, boats, tents,balloons, toys and other large volume and low pressure iniiatablearticles.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved collapsible pumpcapable of-inflating hollow inatable articles, especially articles ofthe large volume and low pressure type such, for example, as pneumaticmattresses, toys, or the like; to provide for eliective pumping actionof the pump by Virtue of manually extending a bellows thereof axially todraw an inating medium such, for example, as air into the same throughone end of the pump and manually collapsing the bellows axially thereofto force the inlating medium out of the same at the other end of thepump and into the inflatable article; to provide for cooperation of thepump structure with the hand of the operator to eiect the functions of acheck valve at the intake end of the pump; to provide for ease andconvenience of manipulation of the pump, either as an individual unitdetachably and independently connected to the inflatable article, or asan integral unitary part of the inatable article; to provide forextensive iiexibility together with lateral stability of the pump; toprovide for compactness, lightweight, durability and imperviousness ofthe pump; and to provide for simplicity of construction, convenience andlow cost of manufacture, and for effectiveness of operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,

Fig. 1 is a View showing a collapsible bellow pump held manuallyextended by the hands of the operator and detachably connected to apneumatic mattress, and constructed in accordance with and embodying theinvention, parts being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in an enlarged scaleshowing only the bellows pump( in the extended condition with its intakeand exhaust ends open to the atmosphere,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a modified bellows pump in thecollapsed condition and constituting an integral unitary part of apneumatic mattress, parts being broken away and in section, and

Fig. 4 is a section in an enlarged scale taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 3showing the bellows pump in the partially extended condition hav- 3Claims. (Cl. 2313-160) ing a mechanical check valve at the exhaust endof the pump, parts being broken away.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. l and 2,the construction of a collapsible pump having a bellows-like oraccordian-like pumping action, includes an extensible-compressiblehollow or tubular body I0 of suitable shape such, for example, ascircular in cross-section having, preferably, a plurality ofinterconnected, closed, axially-expansible, substantially equal, annularliexible folds Il, Il extending peripherally continuous about the bodyin substantially parallel relation one to the other and laterally inwardrelative to the longitudinal axis I2 of the body, which annular foldsare disposed in series longitudinally of the body I0 and constitute itscontinuous annular sidewall having a generally corrugated configuration.The axially-expansibleflexible folds II, il are joined t0- gether insealing relation one to the other at their outer peripheral margins orportions I3, I3, and have at their inner peripheral margins or portionsIli, I@ continuous annular flexible restraining partitions I 5, I5 whichextend laterally of and within the body le in sealing relation to thesidewall thereof. Each partition I5 restrains laterally outwardexpansion of a fold II at its inner margin Ill and has a centralaperture I6 to permit the passage of air. The hollow body I0 hasiiexible, closed end walls I1 and I8, respectively, each having acentral aperture I9, 20 for the passage of air.

The hollow body I0 having the plurality of axially-expansible annularfolds II, I I, the the closed end walls Il, i8 and the partitions I5, I5is made of thin, extensively ilexible, substantially impervious materialcapable of withstanding repetitive folding and ilexure and the internalfluid pressures normally encountered in use of the pump, and capable ofresisting effectively aging, abrasive wear and puncture. In thepreferred construction, the hollow body I0 may be made of square-woven,straight-laid textile fabric of iilamentary material such, for example,as cotton, linen, rayon, nylon, glass bers or the like, which fabric hasstretch-resisting characteristics and is made substantially imperviousor air-tight by being coated thinly and continuously on at least oneside and desirably on both sides with an elastic composition of rubber,natural or synthetic, or other rubber-like or synthetic material havingsubstantially similar chemical composition or physical properties tonatural rubber and resistant to aging and abrasion. The thin rubberizedtextile fabric is extensively flexible to .the longitudinal axis I 2 ofthe body I0 as shown in Fig. 1, during the intake and compressionstrokes by moving the hands 50, l5I along a straight path coincidingwith .the longitudinal axis I2 of the hollow body I 0, good results areobtained by having the folds I I, I I and restraining partitions I5, I5shifted laterally relative to one another and to one side of thelongitudinal axis I2 of the hollow body` I0 through .movement of thehand 5I along a straight path inclined or tilted relative to thelongitudinal axis I2.

The manipulating element 2| at a large part of its seating surface aboutthe aperture 22 tends to remain loosely against the palm of the hand 5Idue to the lateral shifting of thematerial of the folds II, II and theend wall I'I at the opposite side of the body I0, when the hand 5I movesalong the tilted path away from the hand 50 to extend the bellows, andthus permits the intake of air during the intake stroke of the pump.During movement of the hand 5I toward the hand 53 along the tilted pathfor producing the compression stroke, the laterally shifted dispositionof the folds II, II makes feasible a relatively quicker and moreeffective seal of the element 2l against the hand 5I Also, during thecompression stroke, whether the folds II, II be in the axially alignedor the axially shifted disposition, the pressure of vair within the bodyI not only bulges the walls of the folds outwardly and axially forincreased capacity, but advantageously exerts pressure axially againstthe intake end wall I'I at the seating surface of the manipulatingelement 2i to facilitate maintenance of the temporary seal of themanipulating element 2I against the palm of the hand I. Outwardunfolding of the foldsA I I, I I is prevented by the restraint theretoprovided by the partitions I5, I5 which at the same time provide forlateral stability of the pump in its extended condition.

The pump may be manufactured commercially using the rubberized textilefabric and by joining together in series two or more walled inflatablepockets. Each inflatable pocket may, if desired, be made as anindividual unit formed of two precut, apertured sheets of the rubberizedtextile fabric having the desired form such, for example, as circular,and secured adhesively together at their outer marginal portions I3, I3in sealing relation one to the other throughout the peripheral extent orouter circumference of the sheets. Each united pair of outer marginalportions I3, I3 constitutes a reinforcing protective rib 32 extendinglaterally outward and circumferentially about the hollow body ID toreinforce the folds II, II at their region of joinder and to protect thehollow body IIJ against accidental damage and puncture. The reinforcingprotective ribs 32, 32 'by virtue of their stifening action, facilitateguiding the folds I I, I I in the desired path of movement during theintake and compression strokes of the pump.

A plurality of the walled inflatable pockets are assembled with adjacentwalls of adjacent inflatable pockets united and bonded together insealing relation about the inner marginal portions at the apertures I6,the annular zone of attachment of adjacent walls being of substantiallateral extent to provide the annular apertured restraining partition I5or common Wall between adjacent inflatable pockets. The annularreinforcing ribs 32, 32 and the annular restraining partitions I5, I5,by virtue of their double thickness and increased stiffness, coact 6"with adjacent parts ofthe hollow body I0 to provide lateral stability ofthe body during the intake and'compression strokes of the pump.

Subsequent to assembling the walled inflatable pockets constituting thehollow body II'I, the flexible manipulating element 2I may be adhered tothe intake end wall II and the tting 26 may be secured to the'exhaustend wall IB in the manner described hereinabove.

Themodied construction 34 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 di'ers from that shownin Figs. 1 and 2 in respect of the collapsible bellows pump 34 being ofsubstantially square form in section rather than circular, ybeingpermanently attached directly to a pneumatic mattress 35, and having asuitable mechanical check valve 3E attached to the exhaust end wall 37of the pump 34 and to the distensible wall 35 of the mattress 35.

The check valve 36, desirably of molded rubber construction, has astepped bore 36a therethrough in alignment with the aperture 20 in theend wall 3l and with an aperture 39 in the Wall 33 of the mattress 35which may have one or more divider strips -43 for providing one or moreintercommunicating compartments 4I of the mattress. The stepped bore 36aconstruction provides a chamber 42 terminating at its upper end in aseating surface 43 and having across its lower end an apertured supportelement 44 whereby a ball valve element 45 is retained and iloatinglysupported in the chamber 42 so as to move axially to the seatingshoulder 43 to effect a seal as shown by broken lines inFig. 4, and moveaxially from the seating shoulder 43 to break the seal as shown by fulllines in Fig. 4. The arrangement facilitates inflating the mattresswhile preventing the escape of air under pressure within the mattressthrough the pump 34. For deilating the mattress, a suitable exhaustvalve fitting 45 may be suitable attached, for example, to the wall 38at any desired position thereon.

The collapsible bellows pump 34 is operated in the manner describedhereinabove for the pump I0 except that the check valve 36 is grasped byone hand of the operator with the palm and lingers facing and bracingthe exhaust end wall 31. When the hollow body or bellows of the pumpv 34is extended and compressed to effectl a pumping action, the mattress 35is readily inflated and a suitable flexible manipulating element 41functions like the element 2l to provide the required temporary sealagainst the palm of the other hand and to permit the intake ofatmospheric air into the pump.

The invention provides an improved collapsible bellows pump manuallyoperable and of any desired shape, although only the circular andsusbtantially square shapes are shown and described. The pump can beutilized as an independent unit detachably connected to a hollowinflatable article, or can be permanently attached to the inflatablearticle. By virtue of the lateral restraint to outward unfolding of thefolds provided by the interior partitions together with the functioningof the reinforcing outer ribs at the joinder of adjacent folds, the pumphas lateral stability during its intake and compression strokes. Theinvention advantageously utilizes a hand of the operator in cooperationwith the flexible intake end wall of the pump to serve as a check valveat the intake end. The construction also provides a light-weight,compact, lowcost pump having minimum number of parts and simplified,durable construction facilitating conveniente ofzmanamtm'eeandeffectiveness fof operation- Variations may he made wiihnut :depantingfrom ithe scope rof theinsenlon .it is idened in the olluwing icl-aims.

I zclaiim:

i1. A manually operable extensible :and :eolpneinnatic .'irrflatingaxially collapsible and extemsiblnzsidemall .joined at each emi. 'tospaced walls, said being af highly :tiembla im'- pervious materialfoxfrgeneifally normgate'd cconr'guration, .said :sidewall loiteringrelatively slight resistance to extension thereof from' its collapsedhondtmlon, .one roi said `end Walls being Vapentured and :means :1E-nrcommotion to the article to be inflated, the Iother of saidl `end wallshaving lan` aperture therethrough., .said pump .having a grip flangeextending radially outward L'otf fsaid' latter named: apela ture andformed of manually flexible material, said liexible endl wall having:about the :margin of. nsaid aperture and along said. grip .flange anunobstructed 'hand-receiving surface for itezxibly conforming to `andsealing against the palm foi the hand when the grip ange 'is grasped thefingers and the pump is .moved .toward Aits colilapsed position, saidgrip `Zllange having less resistance Ato flexing than .the resistance:of said sidewall to extension from "its collapsed position, so thatsaid grip ange 'flexesA when lthe fin-gers of the. .hand Ygrasp said.grip flange :and exert force .for extending the pump from vitslcollapsed condition causing the'palmof the operators hand to separatefrom the WallV about said aperture thereby .opening the `interior -efthe pump to atmosphere, yand check valve means in said ecnneoting meansarranged to close automatically upon extension of :said pump.

'2; In a manually operable extensible and celil'apsible pneumatic'inlating pump, yan 'axiailypollapsible and extensible sidewall joinedat each endV to axially spaced end Walls, said sidewall `being formed ofhighly 'flexible air 'impervious material and being of generally`corrugated -coniguration, said sidewall oi'erin'g relatively slightresistance to extension thereof from :its collapsed condition, `one ofsaid end Walls bei-ng apertured and provided with means for connectingto 'the article to be inflated, the rother of said end walls having anaperture therethrough, and having a radial extension axial-1y spacedfrom the adjacent sidewall portion and forming a grip llange, said gri-pflange and end lWall `belngormed of flexible material and providingabouttlie margin of `said latter harnedaper-ture and along said gripange an unobstructed hand-receiving surf-ace for -iexibly conform-ing toand sealing against th-e palm of the hand when thewg-rip flange isgrasped by the lingers and `the vpump is 'moved toward its eolapseslpositionl` said' grip ange having liess to flexing than the resistanceof tsaid sidewall izo-extension `irom its eollapsed position,soitha'tsaid grip arnge :dexes'when the lingers of the hand vgrasp said.grip :flange amd exert fomentar extending the from its collapsedcondtion'caausingithepalmpf the operat'orlshand to es'epairate from the`Wall about said aperture thereby opening the interior of the pump toatmosphere.

3. Inal manually operable extensible and collapsiblepneumatic. imitatingpump, an axiallyr collapsible andfextensible :sidewall roined' at eachend itoaxially spaced en'd Walls, 'said :sidewall beingV formed fof a1plurality 'of fcentrallly lapertured of highly :liexifb'le airimpervious materiatadjaeent vdiscs being :overlapped `and joinedalternately fait their immer :and outer margins the overlapped .jointlait thevinner margins being. of. :snbstantially greater radial extentthan that fat their outer margms, said sidewall -o'i-er-Y ing relativelyrstlght resistance :to exiaensiony kthereof :from its:eollapserlcondition, one of .saidend walls being apertured :and proyidedf'withrneans for .e'onneoting te the :article be 'innate-d,V the other ofsaid-endwalls hating ain-:aperture ther-ethifougn, and having la.,radial #extension spaced from the sidewall'zand forming a gripliar-ige, said grip nan-ge Aandlend'Wall formed of nexibie material andproviding about the .marginof said lattenaperture :andalon'g said griplange an unobstmnted hand-receiving `surface for flex-ibly conforming toand sealing against the palm of the hand when the grip-flange is`grasped by the fingers andthe 'pump is moved toward its collapsedAposition, said rjoints :at the inner disc margins resisting radial.outward buckling off the sidewall. during collapse ofA the pump, saidgrip flange .having less resistance to mening than the resistances'of:said sidewall to :extension from its collapsed position, so thatsaidfg-rip `flange vflexes when the :ngers :of the' vhand grasp saidgrip flange exert force .for extending the pump from its collapsed:condition causing the 'palmof the operators to separate 'from the Wallabout said aperture thereby' opeifiing `the interior of the pump toatmosphere'.

References Cited thev file of this patent -UNZITED STATES PATENTS'

